A new device for percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in acute limb ischemia.

Acute limb ischemia caused by thromboembolism is an emergent and life-threatening disease. Rapid revascularization is inevitable to prevent major amputation. So far, thrombectomy by Fogarty balloon catheter has been a standard procedure for this emergent setting, though it is sometimes difficult to accomplish complete removal of thrombus within peripheral arteries. Herein, we report a case with acute limb ischemia which was successfully treated by a new mechanical thrombectomy device. This home-made device split thrombus into small pieces within arteries, and accelerated the efficiency of thrombus removal by an aspiration catheter thereafter.